Yesterday was the big day.
The Rim to Rim hike.
North to South.
With only 6 weeks of working out.
The group was so fun - Dad, Matt, Luke, Kelli and Ryan Brown, Billy Rowley, Katie Vermillion, Chuck Melser and me. The ride up was filled with laughter and stories of past Grand Canyon hikes, including the fastest times -Luke at 6 hrs and 5 min and how he beat Willie by taking off when Willie went to the bathroom, our favorite hikers (Steve Patience), Billy Rowley who once brought a frame backpack for the day hike stocked with 5 lbs of M&M's, a few of the Rim to Rim to Rim hikes of the past... We laughed at who would get to sit where on the way back (not wanting to be the one who had to climb into the back of the van) and how sore we were going to be. It was a great, fast drive, great job on that Karolyn, and thanks a million for driving.
Saturday morning we headed out to start. After a few pics (which I didn't take because I brought my camera but left my SD card in the computer), we were off. The group quickly separated and my dad and I were left to bring up the rear, the cabooses.
Each time I do this hike, I start thinking of the book I'm going to someday write titled, Life Lessons Learned Going Rim to Rim. Lessons such as:
The rock that gets in your shoe that seems small, but can cause major discomfort just as a sin without repenting can.
The importance of steady perseverance even when the going seems too rough.
The difference a smile and a kind word can make. My dad has taught me that over and over again in my life. He said hello to just about every single person he passed. This forced them to look up and notice others and hopefully the beautiful sights they were missing out on.
The beauty of the creation.
You can make friends anywhere. We briefly made friends with a group of Iranians, the man from Iowa, the lady from Phoenix who was a rookie rim to rimmer and needed advil, the boy scout group from Tucson. These people become familiar faces as you leapfrog them as you take turns resting at the switchbacks and continually pass each other.
There are many more lessons I thought about during the long hours hiking, but the delirium that sets in going through the Devils Corkscrew made me forget them all.
However, the biggest lesson I learned came as we were less than a mile from the top. My dad looks up and heartily exclaims, "Bro. Larson". There standing ahead was his old temple co-worker, who he served with for a year. We were introduced and then my dad asked him how he was doing, asked about his wife and then his son who was in the Army. He then told us that he lost his boy. My dad asked if it was in combat, and he said no. Bro Larson told us his son had successfully completed a tour of duty in Iraq, even had a grenade land on his chest and bounce off him miraculously with not even a scratch. But after he was finished, he was back in the states at Fort Hood when he was killed by the gunman that so brutally took so many lives. He left behind a wife and I think two kids. As I was choking back the tears, I continued to listen to him testify of the plan of salvation. Bro Larson is happy for his son's service and the honor given to him by the Army. His son is with his Heavenly Father, he is in a peaceful place. His son's wife is excited for the day she can be reunited with him in the next life. And he did this all with no malice and with such a gentle heart. This taught me the best lesson of the day. I have so much to be grateful for. I have a Heavenly Father that loves me so much that he gave his Son to die and atone for my sins so that I can return to live with Him again. Families are forever. Heavenly Father is there for us and though I know Bro. Larson misses his son madly, he has been given peace. After that little conversation, my little aches, pains and annoyances didn't seem like that big of a deal. Thank you for the grand lesson.
It was truly a memorable hike and if I can get over the soreness, I just might consider doing it again next year!
